Morocco plans to expand its hotel capacity by 60,000 beds ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, as the country looks to strengthen its tourism industry and capitalise on the global attention generated by the tournament.
Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said the World Cup should catalyze long-term growth rather than a one-time event. Morocco is investing more than 190 billion dirhams (around $20 billion) in rail, roads, airports, stadiums and other urban infrastructure as it prepares to co-host the tournament alongside Spain and Portugal.
The country has already added 45,000 hotel beds over the past four years, taking its total capacity to more than 300,000 beds. The planned expansion would increase capacity by around one-fifth before the tournament begins.
Morocco welcomed nearly 20 million tourists last year, making it Africa’s most visited destination, and aims to attract 26 million visitors by 2030. The country’s central bank expects tourism revenue to rise to a record 161 billion dirhams in 2027, from 138 billion dirhams in 2025.
The next phase of tourism growth will focus on attracting more visitors from China, the United States and the Middle East through improved air connectivity. Morocco is also working to diversify tourism beyond traditional destinations such as Marrakech and Agadir, positioning the capital Rabat as a hub for cultural events, sports, and business travel
